Leggin



(No Model.)

B. B. STIMPSON.

LEGGIN. v No. 504,794. Patented Sept. 12, 1893.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

EDWIN B. STIMPSON, OF BROOKLYN, NEW YORK.

LEGGlN.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 504,794, dated September 12, 1893.

Application filed November 25, 1891. Serial No. 413,065. (No model) To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, EDWIN B. Srnrrson, a citizen of the United States, residing in Brooklyn, Kings county, New York, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Leggins, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to the class of leggins of which that described in my United States Patent No.27l,150 is an example; the leggin described in that patent employs two scroll-like spring bands, one arranged near each extremity of the leggin. These bands tend normally to roll the material of the leggin up like a scroll about the leg of the wearer causing the material of the leggin to overlap considerably and the bands to embrace the leg rather snugly and with a constant elastic pressure.

The purpose of my present invention is to provide a leggin in which the closed edges will overlap very slightly, thus effectinga substantial economy in the material employed, and to provide spring bands which tend to expand and open the leggin, thus holding the latter away from the leg and avoiding compression on the same. The leggin is provided with adjustable looking or fastening devices, as will be described.

A practical embodiment of my invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which- Figure 1 is a view of the closed leggin, as it appears when secured on the leg. Fig. 2 is a view of the leggin as it appears when unfastened and partially opened by the resiliency of the spring bands.

The body of the leggin is represented by A, and its meeting edges, respectively, by aand a. Annular band springs B and B are located, one at the upper portion and the other at the lower portion of the leggin, preferably in such positions that the upper one will be between the larger portion of the calf of the leg and the knee and the other just above the ankle when the leggin is adjusted for use. The band springs B and B have a normal tendency to open or straighten and when secured to the body of the leggin they cause it to conform to their shape. The said springs are conveniently secured to the body of the leggin in pockets formed for them by stitching to the inside of the leggin a strip of material a between which and the body of the leggin the spring is inserted. The ends of the spring B have secured thereto or formed integral therewith, preferably the latter, the opposite members of a fastening device. In the present instance the fastening device is denoted by O and the parts are so constructed as to permit of an adj ustmeut which will hold the edges a and a together or slightly overlapped and hence hold the leggin itself adj usted more or less closely to the leg. So far as my present invention is concerned the particular form of fastening is immaterial except so far as it be sufficient to hold the edges of the leggin together. I have shown in connection with the spring a fastening constructed by forming one of the members with a notched guide 0 and the other with a spring actuated link 0' adapted to engage the notched guide a.

In applying the leggin to the leg its edges are brought together by bringing the ends of the springs B and B together and fastening them. The tendency of the springs when their ends are united, is to hold the body of the leggin at all times distended and prevent it from hugging the leg so closely as to impede the chem lation. There is also a material saving in stock because of the reduction of the overlap at the edges to a minimum. In the manufacture of leggins from leather or from any stock of good quality, such saving in the overlap becomes a very important factor in determining the cost. The leggin may be adjusted and removed with great facility and presents a neat and attractive appearance.

While I have represented but two spring hands it is to be understood that the number may be varied as desired.

The degree of expansion of the spring bands B, B, used in the leggin is not material to my invention; that is to say, it is not material that they shall straighten out entirely when freed. But they should expand to an extent sufficient to put them under tension when the leggin is on and the fastenings made so that they will not press on the leg but hold the leggin in a tubular form about the latter.

Having thus described my invention, I claim 1. A leggin of flexible material, open at the side, provided with normally expanding spring bands extending transversely around the leggin at difierent points in its length, and with means for holding the leggin closed and the said spring bands under tension, substantially as set forth.

2. A leggin of flexible material, open at the side and having annular spring-pockets extending transversely around it at different points, said leggin being provided with normally expanding spring bands which occupy said pockets, and with fastening devices at the ends of said springs to hold the edges of the leggin together and maintain a tension on the spring, substantially as set forth.

EDWIN B. STIMPSON.

Witnesses:

FREDK. HAYNES, I. B. DECKER. 

